The San Francisco Chronicle has a great interview with Robbie Bach, the president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division, which includes Windows Mobile as well as music and gaming.

In the interview, Bach talks about a wide range of trends and future developments in the mobile industry in general, and with Windows Mobile in particular. It's a great survey of the state of the marketplace and where Microsoft sees itself in it.

Key quote:

"We don't make phones ourselves. We don't have any plans to make phones ourselves. Our focus is on the belief that a phone is a very personal thing. Different people want different types of phones. We think that is going to continue, and we think Windows Mobile is in a great position to service all those different opportunities."

Read more in the article.

 That was an interview and a half !

 It was interesting to see that they intend to keep Zune and mobiles seperate.  From what he was saying, I won't be expecting Zune based software running on WM7. Which suggests that they have a whole other gameplan for the new OS.

 Its looks as though Microsoft are taking the compatibility between their own devices seriously and that it good to see. With Live Mesh coming into play now, it will interesting to how we will snyc all of our Microsoft devices together, be they WM Phones, Zunes, XBOXs.

 He also mentioned that 'touch' was going to be the key word in all that Microsoft does from now on. I wonder if this means that we will see a tocuhscreen Windows Mobile Standard device? That would be an interesting move and may see Windows Mobile Standard and Professional amalgamate into a single OS.

 We have also talked about Mobile advertising recently, with Hard Rock Cafe looking to role out Bluetooth proximity advertising. It is good that Microsoft already have their fingers on the pulse enough to mention as part of their future plans.

 The next 12 months look to evolve Windows Mobile a great deal. I am excited to see what id to come

Biomehanika:

The next 12 months look to evolve Windows Mobile a great deal.

That's certainly interesting and wonderful news to know that Microsoft is putting a lot of thought into the mobile sector.

VERY! Impressive! and I think we will get a sneak peek in the next version of WM

Would be really nice to test drive the Windows Mobile 7 even if only on the emulator

Welcome to the Connection, Leiby! We really appreciate your contributions here.

Bill